Overboot

Abstract

An overboot is described which is adapted to be worn over a conventional boot or shoe and which is further adapted to connect to a ski (e.g., a cross-country ski) or a showshoe. The overboot includes an elongated, generally flat sole member. Attached to the periphery of the sole member is a flexible, water-resistant upper member which extends upwardly from the sole. The upper member can be opened to allow a boot to be inserted; closure means is adapted to close the upper member around the boot. Strap means are used to urge the boot forwardly in the overboot and to secure the boot to the sole member. The overboot is adapted to fit more than one size of boot. A connection member projects forwardly of the upper member for detachably connecting the overboot to a ski or snowshoe. The sole member can be flexed between the forward and rearward ends.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An overboot adapted to be worn over a conventional boot or shoe and being further adapted to connect to a cross-country ski or to a snowshoe, said overboot comprising: (a) an elongated, dimensionally stable, generally flat sole member having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end including a forwardly projecting connection member which is adapted to connect said overboot to said ski or snowshoe; wherein said sole member is adapted to be flexed between said forward and rearward ends;   (b) a flexible, water-resistant upper member attached to the periphery of said sole member and extending upwardly therefrom, said upper member including toe and heel portions and further including vertical closure means; wherein said upper member is openable to allow said boot to be inserted therein, and said closure means being adapted to close said upper member around said boot;   (c) horizontal, adjustable heel strap means carried by said upper member and extending from one side of said upper member to the opposite side thereof around said heel portion, said heel strap means being adapted to urge said boot forward in said overboot; wherein said heel strap means is adapted to collapse said heel portion of said upper member rearwardly of said boot in a manner such that said heel strap means retains said boot in a forward position in said overboot;   (d) ankle strap means carried by said upper member and being adapted to tighten said upper member around said boot; and   (e) adjustable toe strap means adapted to extend over said toe portion of said upper member and being further adapted to be tightened over the toe of said boot; wherein said heel strap means, ankle strap means, and toe strap means are adapted to secure said boot to said sole member within said overboot.     
     
     
       2. An overboot in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sole member is planar and comprises leather. 
     
     
       3. An overboot in accordance with claim 1, wherein said upper member comprises nylon. 
     
     
       4. An overboot in accordance with claim 1, wherein said closure means extends vertically from said toe portion of said upper member to the top of said upper member. 
     
     
       5. An overboot in accordance with claim 1, wherein said connection member comprises a tongue projecting forwardly of said toe portion of said upper member. 
     
     
       6. An overboot in accordance with claim 1, wherein said closure means comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
       7. An overboot in accordance with claim 1, wherein said upper member includes a plurality of vertically-spaced loop members on said heel portion thereof, wherein said ankle strap means is adapted to engage one of said loop members. 
     
     
       8. An overboot in accordance with claim I, wherein said upper member comprises a lower portion of water-impermeable material. 
     
     
       9. An overboot adapted to be worn over a conventional boot or shoe and being further adapted to connect to a cross-country ski or to a snowshoe, said overboot comprising: (a) an elongated, dimensionally stable, generally flat sole member having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end including a forwardly projecting connection member which is adapted to connect said overboot to said ski or snowshoe; wherein said sole member is adapted to be flexed between said forward and rearward ends;   (b) a flexible, water-resistant upper member attached to the periphery of said sole member and extending upwardly therefrom, said upper member including toe and heel portions and further including vertical closure means; wherein said upper member is openable to allow said boot to be inserted therein, and said closure means being adapted to close said upper member around said boot;   (c) adjustable heel strap means adapted to extend around the back side of said boot; wherein said heel strap means is adapted to collapse said heel portion of said upper member rearwardly of said boot in a manner such that said heel strap means retains said boot in a forward position in said overboot; wherein said heel strap means is adapted to urge said boot forwardly in said overboot and is further adapted to secure said boot to said sole member within said overboot.     
     
     
       10. An overboot in accordance with claim 9, wherein said sole member is planar and comprises leather. 
     
     
       11. An overboot in accordance with claim 9, wherein said upper member comprises nylon. 
     
     
       12. An overboot in accordance with claim 9, wherein said closure means extends vertically from said toe portion of said upper member to the top of said upper member. 
     
     
       13. An overboot in accordance with claim 9, wherein said heel strap means is elastic. 
     
     
       14. An overboot in accordance with claim 9, wherein said connection member comprises a tongue projecting forwardly of said toe portion of said upper member. 
     
     
       15. An overboot in accordance with claim 9, wherein said closure means comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
       16. An overboot in accordance with claim 9, wherein said upper member comprises a lower portion of water-impermeable material. 
     
     
       17. An overboot in accordance with claim 9, wherein said heel strap means is secured to said sole member and is disposed within said overboot. 
     
     
       18. An overboot in accordance with claim 9, wherein said heel strap means is attached to and carried by said upper member. 
     
     
       19. An overboot in accordance with claim 9, further comprising adjustable toe strap means adapted to extend over said toe portion of said upper member and being further adapted to be tightened over the toe of said boot. 
     
     
       20. An overboot in accordance with claim 9, further comprising adjustable strap securement means adapted to extend from said toe portion on one side of said sole member, around said upper member, and to said toe portion on the opposite side of said sole member. 
     
     
       21. An overboot in accordance with claim 9, further comprising two adjustable ankle straps wherein said strap members are adapted to extend completely around said upper member from opposite sides thereof. 
     
     
       22. A combination comprising: (a) a boot;   (b) a ski; and   (c) an overboot adapted to be worn over said boot and being further adapted to connect to said ski; said overboot comprising: (i) an elongated dimensionally stable, generally flat sole member having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end including a forwardly projecting connection member which is adapted to connect said overboot to said ski; wherein said sole member is adapted to be flexed between said forward and rearward ends;   (ii) a flexible, water-resistant upper member attached to the periphery of said sole member and extending upwardly therefrom, said upper member including toe and heel portions and further including vertical closure means; wherein said upper member is openable to allow said boot to be inserted therein, and said closure means being adapted to close said upper member around said boot;   (iii) adjustable heel strap means adapted to extend around the back side of said boot; said heel strap means being adapted to urge said boot forward in said overboot; wherein said heel strap means is adapted to collapse said heel portion of said upper member rearwardly of said boot in a manner such that said heel strap means retains said boot in a forward position in said overboot; and   (iv) adjustable toe strap means adapted to extend over said toe portion of said upper member and being further adapted to be tightened over the toe of said boot; wherein said heel strap means and toe strap means are adapted to secure said boot to said sole member within said overboot; wherein said connection member of said overboot is detachably connected to said ski.       
     
     
       23. A combination in accordance with claim 22, wherein said overboot further comprises ankle strap means carried by said upper member and being adapted to tighten said upper member around said boot. 
     
     
       24. An overboot adapted to be worn over a conventional boot or shoe and being further adapted to connect to a cross-country ski or to a snowshoe, said overboot comprising: (a) an elongated, dimensionally stable, generally flat sole member having a forward end and a rearward end, said forward end including a forwardly projecting connection member which is adapted to connect said overboot to said ski or snowshoe; wherein said sole member is adapted to be flexed between said forward and rearward ends;   (b) a flexible, water-resistant upper member attached to the periphery of said sole member and extending upwardly therefrom, said upper member including toe and heel portions and further including vertical closure means; wherein said upper member is openable to allow said boot to be inserted therein, and said closure means being adapted to close said upper member around said boot;   (c) horizontal, adjustable heel strap means adapted to extend around the back side of said boot; wherein said heel strap means is located within said overboot and is carried by said upper member; wherein said heel strap means is adapted to urge said boot forward in said overboot and retain said boot in a forward position in said overboot;   (d) ankle strap means carried by said upper member and being adapted to tighten said upper member around said boot; wherein said heel strap means and said ankle strap means are adapted to secure said boot to said sole member within said overboot.